Public servants welcome Govt’s $25,000 one-off grant

Public servants have welcomed the Government’s announcement of a one-off $25,000 cash grant, in addition to a raft of other provisions it has already made to help cushion the impact of Covid.

Ms. Candaice Smith is among the more than 60,000 workers set to receive the grant soon.  “I think it will benefit not only myself, but all who will receive this. It is a very good initiative and I’m very much grateful,” she told DPI on Monday.

Ms. Darshanie Balac is also pleased about the added cash she will receive.

Public Servant, Ms. Darshanie Balac

“Frankly, the $25,000 will go into my savings. [It was] was a pleasant surprise for me actually and I would like to thank the Government of Guyana. It will be a great help for us,” she said.

Office Assistant, Mr. Okive Lewis said the money is timely, even as he prepares for a new semester at the University of Guyana.

“I think it is a great initiative by the Government because it will help me. January is a hard month and these kinds of stuff and then UG starts back. So, it will help me to buy my books so that I can get to study,” the young man explained.

Public Servant, Mr. Okive Lewis

For Mr. Brushell Blackman, the Government’s intervention is an unexpected boon that will help him meet his needs.  “I know some persons might want to say it can be a bit more, but in this time, in COVID-19, when you know monies are stretched and so forth, I mean it is going to come in very handy and the Government should be lauded for the intervention and on my behalf, I would like to say thank you,” he said.

Typist Clerk, Ms. Tosheena Bernard expressed similar sentiments.  “I think that the Ministry and the President used it as a great initiative to help out the public servants since we were looking forward to it. We will be able to pay our semester fees, et cetera. I think it is a great idea,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Service, Hon. Sonia Parag, in an invited comment, lauded the initiative.

“The decision by His Excellency to give all public servants $25,000 is welcoming simply because it reiterates the commitment of this Government to not leave anyone behind, and to take care of the welfare of all Guyanese.”

Minister Parag said the Government recognises that the pandemic has affected every household and the $2 billion in grant would help buttress household economies.

“Giving the $25,000 to public servants is a clear indication that the Government wishes to bring relief to those people as well,” she added.

His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfan Ali, on December 31, announced the one-off grant of $25,000 for public sector workers.

The President said beneficiaries will include workers within the Central Government, statutory bodies, subvention agencies, public corporations, teachers, medical workers, Members of the Joint Services, Government pensioners and staff of the University of Guyana.